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Author Topic: BAD virus. can't open hijack this, firefox or any other apps.  (Read 14541 times)

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landa321

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    This thing has taken over! I am posting from another PC since I can't go online on infected computer. Please help!

    Total security has installed itself, as well as Windows Antivirus Pro.

    I can't open regedit, task manager. I am able to use IE, although it is redirecting some sites.

    I started in safe mode and it still won't allow me to open regedit.

    I am not able to use hijack this.

    Running XP Pro on infected PC.
    thanks
    « Last Edit: August 15, 2009, 06:13:08 PM by landa321 »

    SuperDave

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    Re: BAD virus. can't open hijack this, firefox or any other apps.
    « Reply #1 on: August 15, 2009, 06:53:15 PM »
    Download HijackThis from this site to the computer you're using now. Burn it to a CD-RW and load it on your infected computer. Make sure you change the name from hijackthis.exe to something else and try to run a scan. If you're successful, copy the post here. Transfer the log to your good computer using a CD-RW.
    Windows 8 and Windows 10 dual boot with two SSD's

    landa321

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      Re: BAD virus. can't open hijack this, firefox or any other apps.
      « Reply #2 on: August 15, 2009, 08:09:26 PM »
      hijack this is opening and i am able to run it, but as soon as it runs the scan, the malware closes hijack this.

      i have to install hijack this for it to work, right? as soon as i install it, i change the name of the exe file, but the malware still closes the program as soon as it scans.

      Karnac



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        Re: BAD virus. can't open hijack this, firefox or any other apps.
        « Reply #3 on: August 15, 2009, 08:12:43 PM »
        Try run it in safe mode....


        Never argue with a stupid person, they'll drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.

        landa321

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          Re: BAD virus. can't open hijack this, firefox or any other apps.
          « Reply #4 on: August 15, 2009, 08:22:18 PM »
          ok, tried in safe mode. same results. this is a bad one i think

          Karnac



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            Re: BAD virus. can't open hijack this, firefox or any other apps.
            « Reply #5 on: August 15, 2009, 08:46:59 PM »
            Have you attempted to run Malwarebytes and Superantispyware at all?

            Try transfer the setup files via USB stick to your infected machine, then run them in safemode.


            Never argue with a stupid person, they'll drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.

            landa321

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              Re: BAD virus. can't open hijack this, firefox or any other apps.
              « Reply #6 on: August 15, 2009, 09:44:32 PM »
              ok all bad news.

              first... let me say that when i boot up in safe mode, it now asks me whether i want to log in as adminstrator or as my regular user login. i did not even have an admin user set up before.

              i tried to do what you said while logged in as admin and it says "cannot access the path" and "you may not have the appropriate permissions to access the item" when i try to access the setup files on the usb.

              i tried to do what you said while logged in as my regular user and here is what happened -
              malwarebytes... it opens up, but as soon as it starts to scan, the program closes.
              super anti- this one i can't even install because it says i have an older version installed and i can't install the new version unless i uninstall the old version. i try and try and try to install the old version but it won't let me.

              also - i did change the names of all the exe files before executing them.

              this is bad.

              landa321

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                Re: BAD virus. can't open hijack this, firefox or any other apps.
                « Reply #7 on: August 16, 2009, 03:21:42 PM »
                i ran Avira Rescue CD. it found hundreds of infected files and renamed them.

                now my PC won't start up... not even in safe mode. what to do?

                landa321

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                  Re: BAD virus. can't open hijack this, firefox or any other apps.
                  « Reply #8 on: August 16, 2009, 04:54:02 PM »
                  my system is a mess now. i was having better luck before the Avira scan.

                  When i try to start up now, it is saying "Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
                  \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM

                  Did Avira wipe out my HDD?

                  SuperDave

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                  Re: BAD virus. can't open hijack this, firefox or any other apps.
                  « Reply #9 on: August 16, 2009, 05:21:15 PM »
                  Can you boot from your Windows CD?
                  Windows 8 and Windows 10 dual boot with two SSD's

                  landa321

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                    Re: BAD virus. can't open hijack this, firefox or any other apps.
                    « Reply #10 on: August 16, 2009, 05:41:16 PM »
                    Tried booting from Windows Cd and I get this:

                    This computer is already in the process of being upgraded to Microsoft Windows. What do you want to do?

                    *To continue the current upgrade, press ENTER
                    *To cancel the current upgrade and install new version of Microsoft Windows, press F10
                    *To exit Setup without installing Microsoft Windows, press F3

                    What do I do here? I can't lose what is on my HDD. I have hundreds of important photos. everything else i really don't care about. just the photos.

                    SuperDave

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                    Re: BAD virus. can't open hijack this, firefox or any other apps.
                    « Reply #11 on: August 16, 2009, 07:58:50 PM »
                    That's strange. When you boot from the Windows CD you should get two options: To re-install Windows or to do a repair. Just to be on the safe side can you put your HDD in another computer as a slave and recover your important information?
                    Windows 8 and Windows 10 dual boot with two SSD's

                    roserose



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                      Re: BAD virus. can't open hijack this, firefox or any other apps.
                      « Reply #12 on: August 16, 2009, 10:57:33 PM »
                      Take it to a professional? srry no help

                      landa321

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                        Re: BAD virus. can't open hijack this, firefox or any other apps.
                        « Reply #13 on: August 18, 2009, 12:07:18 AM »
                        I bought a HDD enclosure and connected the infected HDD to this laptop and my files all appear to be OK. if I transfer all my jpgs to a new hard drive..

                        1. will those jpgs on the new hard drive be safe?

                        2. should i then try to fix the existing infected HDD or just reformat and start from scratch?
                        « Last Edit: August 18, 2009, 12:36:30 PM by landa321 »

                        Archer



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                        Re: BAD virus. can't open hijack this, firefox or any other apps.
                        « Reply #14 on: August 18, 2009, 12:32:06 AM »
                        "Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
                        \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM

                        Try this link. And if it helps to boot from the infected HDD:

                        malwarebytes... it opens up, but as soon as it starts to scan, the program closes.

                        You might need to create a different account, boot into it and run Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and SUPERAntiSpyware from it (and after you reboot after the request the new account most likely gets 'killed' too, so you'll have to create another new account to run the next scan if the previous does not help).
                        « Last Edit: August 18, 2009, 12:42:14 AM by Archer »
                        良し! いこう! いこぜ みんな!

                        SuperDave

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                        Re: BAD virus. can't open hijack this, firefox or any other apps.
                        « Reply #15 on: August 18, 2009, 05:31:13 PM »
                        I bought a HDD enclosure and connected the infected HDD to this laptop and my files all appear to be OK. if I transfer all my jpgs to a new hard drive..

                        1. will those jpgs on the new hard drive be safe?

                        2. should i then try to fix the existing infected HDD or just reformat and start from scratch?
                        Those jpg files should be ok. If you have any doubt, copy them to a DVD-RW.
                        2. You should try again to boot from your Windows CD. You should get a repair option and a re-install option. If you can get the repair done, you should be able to re-boot your computer and run the scans.
                        Windows 8 and Windows 10 dual boot with two SSD's

                        Helpmeh



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                        Re: BAD virus. can't open hijack this, firefox or any other apps.
                        « Reply #16 on: August 18, 2009, 05:39:53 PM »
                        Take it to a professional? srry no help
                        Please don't post unless you can help. The members helping out who are "Malware Removal Specialists" ARE professionals.
                        Where's MagicSpeed?
                        Quote from: 'matt'
                        He's playing a game called IRL. Great graphics, *censored* gameplay.

                        landa321

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                          Re: BAD virus. can't open hijack this, firefox or any other apps.
                          « Reply #17 on: August 18, 2009, 10:57:05 PM »
                          someone at geekstogo suggested this: You are infected with a polymorphic file infector. This infection can and will infect all the machine's executable files .exe, .scr, .rar, .zip, .htm, .html.

                          They suggested that i need a complete reformat and reinstall on ALL of my HDDs and that I should NOT connect my HDD to the laptop or the laptop may become infected as well.
                          They added that i would need a Linux live disk to recover my files, but would need to run a scan to make sure those files are clean. This is about 2 TB worth of photos and music and would be devastating to lose. Especially the photos.

                          what are your thoughts on this? They made this suggestion based on the same information you have heard here as I have not been able to run any scans to produce any logs.

                          as of right now, i have not transferred any files yet. Now that I know those photos are still there, I was going to buy a new HDD to transfer them on to, so that I could reformat the HDD that has the OS on it.

                          I do have three internal HDDs in my system and had 2 externals connected at the time of the virus. Is it possible that all the drives are infected?

                          Helpmeh



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                          Re: BAD virus. can't open hijack this, firefox or any other apps.
                          « Reply #18 on: August 19, 2009, 05:37:20 AM »
                          It is possible that all your drives are infected, but your photos should be safe. Don't do anything else until a Malware Removal Specialist gives you the OK.
                          Where's MagicSpeed?
                          Quote from: 'matt'
                          He's playing a game called IRL. Great graphics, *censored* gameplay.

                          landa321

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                            Re: BAD virus. can't open hijack this, firefox or any other apps.
                            « Reply #19 on: August 19, 2009, 06:58:04 AM »
                            when you say don't do anything else, do you mean AFTER I move my jpg files? is it safe to connect the HDD to a laptop and move the files?

                            SuperDave

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                            Re: BAD virus. can't open hijack this, firefox or any other apps.
                            « Reply #20 on: August 19, 2009, 04:37:46 PM »
                            Why not slave your HDD to your laptop and run some scans from your laptop protection on the HDD?
                            Windows 8 and Windows 10 dual boot with two SSD's

                            landa321

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                              Re: BAD virus. can't open hijack this, firefox or any other apps.
                              « Reply #21 on: August 19, 2009, 05:51:51 PM »
                              Ok, I can do that! Which scans do you suggest I run?

                              SuperDave

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                              Re: BAD virus. can't open hijack this, firefox or any other apps.
                              « Reply #22 on: August 19, 2009, 05:53:19 PM »
                              Whatever you have on your computer. If that's not enough, add some more to your laptop and run them.
                              Windows 8 and Windows 10 dual boot with two SSD's

                              smeezekitty

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                              Re: BAD virus. can't open hijack this, firefox or any other apps.
                              « Reply #23 on: August 19, 2009, 05:54:07 PM »
                              2TB?
                              how large is that harddriver
                              and how can it infect html?

                              landa321

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                                Re: BAD virus. can't open hijack this, firefox or any other apps.
                                « Reply #24 on: August 19, 2009, 08:55:07 PM »
                                Whatever you have on your computer. If that's not enough, add some more to your laptop and run them.
                                ok will try that.

                                2TB?
                                how large is that harddriver
                                and how can it infect html?
                                well, there were multiple HDDs adding up to a total of about 2TB
                                i was told they could infect html files. which isn't good, because i have a couple of websites, so i have some html files

                                landa321

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                                  Re: BAD virus. can't open hijack this, firefox or any other apps.
                                  « Reply #25 on: August 26, 2009, 07:39:47 PM »
                                  I ran a scan with avast on my main HDD. it found a tremendous amount of infected files, as expected. there are lots of different results.
                                  some of the results:
                                  win32:vitro
                                  win32:notre
                                  win32:small NAD
                                  win32: fake alert cr
                                  win32:fakeav-pa
                                  win32:refpron
                                  win32:spyware-gen
                                  win32:trojan-gen
                                  unable to scan. the file is decompression bomb.
                                  unable to scan. archive is password protected.

                                  lots of different operations:
                                  file was successfully moved to chest
                                  error occurred during file repair. the file was not repaired.
                                  error occurred during file repair. access was denied.


                                  what to do? i have not taken any "actions"
                                  should i delete the files that were not repaired?

                                  what should i do next?


                                  SuperDave

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                                  Re: BAD virus. can't open hijack this, firefox or any other apps.
                                  « Reply #26 on: August 26, 2009, 07:55:26 PM »
                                  Landa, try scanning with MBAM. You will have to select "perform full scan in order to select your slave drive but it will scan your HDD. The same with SAS(SuperAntiSpyware). Make sure you select your slave HDD. If you're successful, please post your logs.
                                  Windows 8 and Windows 10 dual boot with two SSD's

                                  evilfantasy

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                                  Re: BAD virus. can't open hijack this, firefox or any other apps.
                                  « Reply #27 on: August 26, 2009, 08:09:05 PM »
                                  win32:vitro

                                  Geeksquad was right. Vitro is another name for Virut.

                                  You can try backing up your pictures but they are likely infected or have been quarantined by Avast. I would scan any drive that you have connected to this computer as they may have been compromised also.

                                  Unfortunately the only reliable cure is a complete reformat and reinstall. See here for more information. Virut and other File infectors - Throwing in the Towel?

                                  Many of the major antivirus vendors have Virut removal tools but many times Virut  not repairable. The only reliable way to remove Virut is removing the system files it has infected and in turn crippling the system and calling for a reformat/reinstall anyway. Remember it is always spreading so trying to contain it is impossible. See this article on why it is so destructive. Under the Hood: Virut

                                  If you do try to repair this without reformatting then your best chance is using the Avira AntiVir Rescue CD. (free) And/or the Dr Web LiveCD. (also free)

                                  Backing up files before formatting

                                  If you backup any files they should be scanned from a clean properly protected PC before restoring. Also be careful what scanner is used as some are very poor at detecting and even worse at protecting from this infection. In fact due to the nature of these new infections there are probably no tools that will properly protect you from the infection. Be very selective and only backup files you can not replace like text documents and personal photos.

                                  Do not back up to another machine! It will likely become infected by Virut. Burn to DVD/CD, a flash drive or to an external drive which has nothing else on it and which you can format should it become infected from the backups.

                                  I suggest running at least 3 of the below scanners on the backup files. Run the first scan then reboot before running the second then reboot after the second before running the third.
                                   
                                  -) Dr.Web CureIt!
                                  -) AVG Win32/Virut Removal Tool
                                  -) Symantwc W32.Virut Removal Tool
                                  -) McAfee Avert Stinger
                                  -) Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool

                                  If you do not know how to perform a fresh install, use this website -> http://www.windowsreinstall.com/

                                  Very important, do the following immediately or as soon as possible!

                                  If you have done any online transactions, call all of your banks, credit card companies, financial institutions and inform them that you may be a victim of identity theft and to put a watch on your accounts and/or change all of your account numbers.
                                   
                                  From a clean computer change all of your online passwords including for email, banks, financial accounts, PayPal, eBay, online credit card companies and any online forums or groups you belong to etc.

                                  DO NOT change passwords or do any transactions while using the infected computer. The attacker will get the new passwords and transaction information.

                                  smeezekitty

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                                  Re: BAD virus. can't open hijack this, firefox or any other apps.
                                  « Reply #28 on: August 26, 2009, 08:11:57 PM »
                                  Geeksquad was right. Vitro is another name for Virut.

                                  You can try backing up your pictures but they are likely infected or have been quarantined by Avast. I would scan any drive that you have connected to this computer as they may have been compromised also.

                                  Unfortunately the only reliable cure is a complete reformat and reinstall. See here for more information. Virut and other File infectors - Throwing in the Towel?

                                  Many of the major antivirus vendors have Virut removal tools but many times Virut  not repairable. The only reliable way to remove Virut is removing the system files it has infected and in turn crippling the system and calling for a reformat/reinstall anyway. Remember it is always spreading so trying to contain it is impossible. See this article on why it is so destructive. Under the Hood: Virut

                                  If you do try to repair this without reformatting then your best chance is using the Avira AntiVir Rescue CD. (free) And/or the Dr Web LiveCD. (also free)

                                  Backing up files before formatting

                                  If you backup any files they should be scanned from a clean properly protected PC before restoring. Also be careful what scanner is used as some are very poor at detecting and even worse at protecting from this infection. In fact due to the nature of these new infections there are probably no tools that will properly protect you from the infection. Be very selective and only backup files you can not replace like text documents and personal photos.

                                  Do not back up to another machine! It will likely become infected by Virut. Burn to DVD/CD, a flash drive or to an external drive which has nothing else on it and which you can format should it become infected from the backups.

                                  I suggest running at least 3 of the below scanners on the backup files. Run the first scan then reboot before running the second then reboot after the second before running the third.
                                   
                                  -) Dr.Web CureIt!
                                  -) AVG Win32/Virut Removal Tool
                                  -) Symantwc W32.Virut Removal Tool
                                  -) McAfee Avert Stinger
                                  -) Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool

                                  If you do not know how to perform a fresh install, use this website -> http://www.windowsreinstall.com/

                                  Very important, do the following immediately or as soon as possible!

                                  If you have done any online transactions, call all of your banks, credit card companies, financial institutions and inform them that you may be a victim of identity theft and to put a watch on your accounts and/or change all of your account numbers.
                                   
                                  From a clean computer change all of your online passwords including for email, banks, financial accounts, PayPal, eBay, online credit card companies and any online forums or groups you belong to etc.

                                  DO NOT change passwords or do any transactions while using the infected computer. The attacker will get the new passwords and transaction information.
                                  i agree virut is a horrable virus but i think you maybe going alittle overboard

                                  evilfantasy

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                                  Re: BAD virus. can't open hijack this, firefox or any other apps.
                                  « Reply #29 on: August 26, 2009, 08:14:01 PM »
                                  Take the time to read the information in the links and then give an educated reply. ::)

                                  I don't pull what I post out of my a$$.

                                  smeezekitty

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                                  Re: BAD virus. can't open hijack this, firefox or any other apps.
                                  « Reply #30 on: August 26, 2009, 08:16:47 PM »
                                  i meanly talk about this part
                                  Quote
                                  Very important, do the following immediately or as soon as possible!

                                  If you have done any online transactions, call all of your banks, credit card companies, financial institutions and inform them that you may be a victim of identity theft and to put a watch on your accounts and/or change all of your account numbers.
                                   
                                  From a clean computer change all of your online passwords including for email, banks, financial accounts, PayPal, eBay, online credit card companies and any online forums or groups you belong to etc.

                                  DO NOT change passwords or do any transactions while using the infected computer. The attacker will get the new passwords and transaction information.
                                  the rest of it is good advice
                                  but still if you back up to a flash drive i am sure the virus can also jump drives
                                  when trying to retreave off the flash drive
                                  so wahts to keep it from infecting another computer?

                                  evilfantasy

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                                  Re: BAD virus. can't open hijack this, firefox or any other apps.
                                  « Reply #31 on: August 26, 2009, 08:19:04 PM »
                                  Read the reply. It's all explained.

                                  landa321

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                                    Re: BAD virus. can't open hijack this, firefox or any other apps.
                                    « Reply #32 on: August 26, 2009, 09:17:24 PM »
                                    would it possibly be good news at all if none of my photos or music files came up as infected in the scan?

                                    i am going to buy a new hard drive tomorrow to transfer these files to. in the meantime, what "action" should i take in the avast scan? should i delete the infected/un-repairable files? they are mostly exe and tmp files. i know my photoshop, office, etc will be shot, but i would prefer that happen than my photos.

                                    by the way, is there any way to salvage my outlook files? old emails, address book, etc?

                                    evilfantasy

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                                    Re: BAD virus. can't open hijack this, firefox or any other apps.
                                    « Reply #33 on: August 26, 2009, 09:26:55 PM »
                                    would it possibly be good news at all if none of my photos or music files came up as infected in the scan?

                                    Yes but I would scan them with another scanner to be sure.

                                    i am going to buy a new hard drive tomorrow to transfer these files to. in the meantime, what "action" should i take in the avast scan? should i delete the infected/un-repairable files? they are mostly exe and tmp files. i know my photoshop, office, etc will be shot, but i would prefer that happen than my photos.

                                    The files that Avast is going to quarantine will make the drive useless because it will remove critical system files needed for Windows to work.

                                    by the way, is there any way to salvage my outlook files? old emails, address book, etc?

                                    You can back them up and do the scans on them also. Although I would think that they are the most likely ones to be infected.

                                    landa321

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                                      Re: BAD virus. can't open hijack this, firefox or any other apps.
                                      « Reply #34 on: August 26, 2009, 09:35:52 PM »

                                      The files that Avast is going to quarantine will make the drive useless because it will remove critical system files needed for Windows to work.

                                      should i go ahead and delete those files then? the drive already doesn't boot up anyway since i did the avira scan. i am more concerned with saving what i can before doing the reformat/fresh install.


                                      You can back them up and do the scans on them also. Although I would think that they are the most likely ones to be infected.
                                      is it possible to back them without starting outlook? can i go in and just copy the file? i am not 100% what folder those files are located in. would those be pst and pab files?

                                      evilfantasy

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                                      Re: BAD virus. can't open hijack this, firefox or any other apps.
                                      « Reply #35 on: August 26, 2009, 09:43:31 PM »
                                      I'm not sure where they are located and I believe they are .PST files.

                                      landa321

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                                        Re: BAD virus. can't open hijack this, firefox or any other apps.
                                        « Reply #36 on: August 26, 2009, 10:57:17 PM »
                                        how about the files? let avast remove them or quarantine?
                                        i know i am eventually going to reformat this drive, but i still feel better getting rid of those files. does it matter?

                                        evilfantasy

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                                        Re: BAD virus. can't open hijack this, firefox or any other apps.
                                        « Reply #37 on: August 26, 2009, 10:59:05 PM »
                                        When you reformat you will be getting rid of them,

                                        landa321

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                                          Re: BAD virus. can't open hijack this, firefox or any other apps.
                                          « Reply #38 on: September 07, 2009, 01:23:13 AM »
                                          I am finally back up on my desktop. I was able to save all of my important files on to a brand new HD and I ran scans on that HD to make sure all the files were safe.

                                          I ended up reformatting an older hard drive that was only 100GB and doing a fresh XP install on that. This way, I can reformat the infected 750GB HD and just use it as external storage. this way, if I get infected in the future, I will have all of my important files backed up. Lesson learned.

                                          Thanks all around.

                                          printerface



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                                            Re: BAD virus. can't open hijack this, firefox or any other apps.
                                            « Reply #39 on: September 08, 2009, 04:41:37 AM »
                                            sometimes spywares are blocking some of our downloads, so you can just close your spyware and download hijack, but if the problem still insist, how about reformatting your computer.

                                            SuperDave

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                                            Re: BAD virus. can't open hijack this, firefox or any other apps.
                                            « Reply #40 on: September 08, 2009, 07:24:01 PM »
                                            sometimes spywares are blocking some of our downloads, so you can just close your spyware and download hijack, but if the problem still insist, how about reformatting your computer.
                                            That's exactly what he/she did.
                                            Windows 8 and Windows 10 dual boot with two SSD's